“‘Wait a bit, my lad,’ said one of the neighbours. ‘What salutation did you make to Master Eloi!’
“‘I said, as is usual, “God give you good-day, master, and to the company!’
“‘Ah, but that is not what you should have said. You should have addressed him as, “Master above all other masters.” There, look at the board!’
“‘That is true,’ said Jesus. ‘I will try again.’ And with that he returned to the smithy.
“‘God give you good-day, master above all other masters. Have you no need of an apprentice?’
“‘Come in, come in,’ replied Eloi. ‘I have been thinking that we could give you work also. But listen to this once and for all: When you address me, you must say, “Master, above all other masters,” see you—this is not to boast, but men like me, who can forge a shoe in two heatings, there are not two in Limousin!’
“‘Oh,’ replied the apprentice, ‘in our country, we do it with one heating!’
“‘Only one heating! Go to, boy, be silent then—why the thing is not possible.’
“‘Very well, you shall see, master above all other masters!’
“Jesus took a piece of iron, threw it into the forge, blew, made up the fire, and when the iron was red—red, and incandescent—he took it out with his hand.